BUZZ SODEMAN The Buzzman BUZZ SODEMAN / SPECIAL TO THE PVT Outlaw karts speed into a turn, during Saturday's motorsports program on the quarter-mile dirt oval at the Pahrump Valley Speedway. Advertisement

Before my race summary, I have some pit news to share.

First and foremost, I would like to apologize to Taylor Bonetti. I completely overlooked the Outlaw Karts point leader as one of the females participating in the weekly racing series at the Pahrump Valley Speedway.

Perhaps I overlooked the young lady because she's a dominating force in that division (she swept the competition on Saturday evening), obviously the "apple doesn't fall too far from the tree." Also competing were Shane Nunnally, Austin Black, and Tanner Black.

When I referred to "Flyin' Bryan" Wulfenstein as a second-generation driver, I was wrong. Bryan is a third generation driver. His Grandpa, Ray Wulfenstein, raced and even participated in some NASCAR events. Speaking of Ray, his son Jim said that "you have to check out Wulfy's restaurant, it's a NASCAR museum. It has autographed memorabilia and sides of cars, as well as, a complete car in the lobby."

I have received some information on Ray's sister (Bryan's great Aunt), Vera Murphy, as well as some vintage photos (circa 1973). Hopefully, I will be able to devote another article to a female driver in what used to be a "male dominated" sport. Ms. Murphy piloted a 1960 Ford Starliner, which was voted "Best Looking Car" in Las Vegas in 1973. More on this lady to follow.

The really big news is that Dave Hall is upping the ante for the Super Stock Shoot-out Nov. 10-11. The competitors will be racing for a $1,000 to win purse. It's time to dust off those stock cars that are sitting around in drivers' backyards.

The other big news is that Hall is working with several IMCA drivers on finalizing plans for a $5,000 to win modified race the day after the Las Vegas "Duel in the Desert." If some driver were to sweep the weekend, he or she could be looking at a $10,000 jackpot. This would be huge for the town of Pahrump and the Speedway ...

The IMCA's are arguably the premiere class at the Pahrump Valley track. Staying in this division, Leland Hibdon just returned from Arkansas with his new car.

He's anticipating bringing it out at the next race to work any kinks out of it before a possible trip to Boone, Iowa, for the Supernationals. Las Vegan Dan Fitzgerald has all but locked up the IMCA National Championship and becomes the first Western driver since Scott Pounds claimed the title several years ago.

The demanding schedule has started to have an effect on all the classes. Drivers and cars are being pushed to the limit and it was very evident in the small car count.

The ability to recuperate after a blown engine or the ability to have the cash reserve to fix a damaged race car is putting many of the drivers on the trailer. One only has to evaluate the action in the super stock heat race and the Pro-4 main event to see how attrition can determine the eventual winners.

At the end of the heat race, there were just four cars running and Milo Petaros was limping around with a blown right rear tire. If the Pro-4 bunch could outlast their competitors, they were assured of a podium finish.

The racing was pretty competitive with many of the races decided on the last lap. Potential victors would spin out or a top three-placement would get lost in cloud of infield dust.

Tom Buckwater was a lock for second in Heat 1 of the mini stocks, but exited the track, giving Rick Gast second. In the same division in Heat 3, a lapped car was instrumental in Keith Young going from first to third. Bubba Ray passed both Young and Joe Rogers Jr. to capture the checker.

Cory Little swept the Pro-4 heat and feature, with points leader Marty Mclaugh chasing Little to the checker flag each time. For those of you who remember the pilot of the No. 30 Dwarf car, Bob Clark was known as "Snidely Whiplash." The affable Clark now drives a Nevada cam coupe emblazoned with "Grumpa."

Clark utilized all of his 21 years of racing experience to hold back another seasoned veteran in the heat race. Race car body fabricator extraordinaire, Sam Stringer, tried every way possible to pass Clark, to no avail. Stringer rebounded to take home the trophy in the main event.

Two other race veterans battled in the super stock heat and main, Anthony Debiase and Dale Daffern have many laps under their belts at the speedway.

It looked like they would be trading paint enroute to the checker but Daffern's engine "going south" took all the drama out of the heat race. With Daffern in the pits, Debiase cruised to victory lane, with Petaros and the youngster Wulfenstein (also suffering from a lack of power) taking third.

In the main, the rejuvenated engine of Daffern carried him to a huge lead and the checker with Debiase second. "Flyin' Brian" edged out Daniel Katzer for third.

Racin' Jason Pike took one step closer to settling into that coveted rocking chair. Victory number 97 wasn't easy, winning in a class where some of the best IMCA drivers in the nation call Pahrump Valley Speedway home. Three drivers are currently within the top 20 in Western Region points.

Hibdon is listed 11th, Pike 17th, and Levi Kiefer 20th. Jon Jensen, who picked up the heat win, got tangled up with Hibdon, allowing Pike's Dirt Works chassis to blow by the pair.

A late yellow brought out by Fred Young tightened the field for a "Saturday night shoot-out." The always-competitive Hibdon spun, bringing out the second yellow, relegating him to the back of the pack and allowing Josh Stringer a podium finish.